Oxford arc welder wiring for 240v

[Olderisbetter]

I have a Oxford 300amp arc welder currently set up on 415v, I want to try it at home on 230v the terminal block shows 230v, I think it should be live to 230 neutral to 0 and earth to E does that seem right?, The main plate states it is 230v 380v and 415v, I know i cannot test it on full amps just want to try it.

 

[gaz1]

id say you was spot on with those wiring

 

[zzr1200]

Sounds about right, but you will need at least a 32amp socket...


Now I know this is wrong but I needed to test a RT180 Oxford so I wired it to a 13amp ring main protected by a 30rcd it tripped as soon as I turned on the welder current in rush caused the trip.
There was nothing else on this circuit as in turn everything off.
Never had a problem with the old re-wirable fuses.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I have a 32amp out let and i have a direct power with no RCD just for testing as i got sick of resetting the pc lol

 

[gaz1]

for you

 

[bigegg]

Wow.
£27 new.

Paid £40 second hand for mine.
Better than a car for depreciation.

 

[reb78]

If you have the choice, is it better to run these on three phase? I have both in my new shed.

 

[MattF]

If you have the choice, is it better to run these on three phase? I have both in my new shed.

Admit it. That question was just so you could subtly brag about having 3 phase.

 

[brightspark]

I could have had 3 phase real cheap 30 years ago .it runs past my property 3 foot from my gate. I have no great need as have a 415volt converter that does 3 of my motors

 

[brightspark]

I've got 3 phase running over my garden.

All I can assume is that the wire they use to drop that to a meter must be made of elven forged gold and platinum strands hand laced by mermaids sat on unicorns - it's the only possible explanation for the install price...

normally fitted in a factory or industrial units for business use . so the skies the limit

 

[Kayos]

I've got 3 phase running over my garden.

All I can assume is that the wire they use to drop that to a meter must be made of elven forged gold and platinum strands hand laced by mermaids sat on unicorns - it's the only possible explanation for the install price...

As @brightspark says, it’s for business/commercial use so they can charge what they want.

Don’t agree with it at all, there’s no safety argument either, it’s as safe or dangerous as you make it

 

[Olderisbetter]

Well we wired it up today on 230v and as soon as we switched it to the on position it tripped the breaker.. i think it is more than my supply can manage

 

[Woody.v8]

Well we wired it up today on 230v and as soon as we switched it to the on position it tripped the breaker.. i think it is more than my supply can manage

What curve breaker have you got? Probably need a type D for the inrush.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I think its on the standard consumer unit 32amp, There is a 40 amp in the house but i cant get the welder indoors at the moment lol

 

[normspanners]

All I can assume is that the wire they use to drop that to a meter must be made of elven forged gold and platinum strands hand laced by mermaids sat on unicorns - it's the only possible explanation for the install price...

Or a cheaper version is two wooden poles with copper hooks on the end and a couple of lengths of 16mm

 

[daleyd]

My smaller Oxford rt140 always tripped the breaker when first turned on, second time round it stayed on. If you o it tried it once it may be worth trying it again just to be sure.

I always assumed it was the fact after it had been off for a while the transformer was completely demagnetised

 

[brightspark]

it will trip a 32 amp b type breaker just turning it on. mine does it regular just reset it the 110volt trannies trip it as well

 

[normspanners]

My smaller Oxford rt140 always tripped the breaker when first turned on, second time round it stayed on. If you o it tried it once it may be worth trying it again just to be sure.

I always assumed it was the fact after it had been off for a while the transformer was completely demagnetised

it will trip a 32 amp b type breaker just turning it on. mine does it regular just reset it the 110volt trannies trip it as well

I used to struggle with a large mahhusive`1ph 110v whole w/shop Wall mounted hard wired tranny and would blow the largest trip even higher rated ones poss even went to 63A the way I got round it was to put a bulb in series with it on a push switch so to start the tranny you pushed the switch the bulb was bright for a millisecond then it glowed as soon as it glowed then switch the tranny on, the current in rush was alleviated and would then run on a 32A breaker.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I used to struggle with a large mahhusive`1ph 110v whole w/shop Wall mounted hard wired tranny and would blow the largest trip even higher rated ones poss even went to 63A the way I got round it was to put a bulb in series with it on a push switch so to start the tranny you pushed the switch the bulb was bright for a millisecond then it glowed as soon as it glowed then switch the tranny on, the current in rush was alleviated and would then run on a 32A breaker.

A mate suggested doing something similar with a capacitor last night, Could be fun and maybe if it works i learn something new...

 

[chris y]

As Woody touched on its not the size of the breaker that is the problem when you are switching it on and not doing welding, its the type, B, C, D or whatever.

My RT2000 TIG did the same but when I read the manual it stated what type breaker I needed to tolerate the inrush